Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Madrasah and Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Bibi-Khanym Mosque was constructed as a cathedral mosque of Samarkand, i.e. the main mosque of the Temurid power. The best architects, artists and craftsmen from conquered countries were involved in the construction of this grandiose complex. Elephants were used for heavy lifting and transporting. The mosque was under construction for five years. When Temur returned after his western campaign he was disappointed with the construction and ordered to reconstruct the portal which seemed not high enough. As a result, the cathedral mosque was supplied with one of the greatest portals of that time. Its arch was flanked with big pylons and minarets up to 50 meters high. The mosque was so gigantic, that the brick design could not bear its own weight and during the first decades the mosque was breaking little by little. Partial restoration of the mosque was carried out at the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st centuries. In the center of the yard there is a marble lectern for the huge Koran, made in the time of Ulugbek. The mosque was named after Temur's senior wife Bibi-Khanym. That was the name of Saray Mulk-khanym - daughter of Genghisid Kazan-khan (1343-1346) who was the governor of Maverannahr and southeast Khurasan in the 1340s. Being Saray's husband Amir Temur had right to an honourable title of 'Guragan' - 'son-in-law of khan'.